Olver Strikes Out

Press Release

Olver Strikes Out

Olver's Ineffective Pitch

David Wedge, Boston Herald

U.S. Rep. John Olver's infamous "baseball" debate was singled out in a Wall Street Journal report this week that found the current Congress has been the least productive in recorded history.

The sitting Congress has passed fewer initiatives than any other, while moving 1,900 meaningless resolutions celebrating things like watermelons, Christmas trees and morticians, the WSJ reported.

Olver was singled out for leading a House floor debate to recognize Pittsfield as giving birth to the term "baseball." Olver based his argument on a 1791 Pittsfield law banning "Wicket, Cricket, Baseball, Football, Cat, Fives or any other game or games with balls near the town's meetinghouse."

West Springfield Republican Nathan Bech, who is challenging Olver, was quick to point out that "the (minor league) Pittsfield Mets left on Olver's watch."

"I think Ken Burns, the Cooperstown board of directors, or even Bud Selig could make this kind of determination," Bech said. "Olver has struck out on the economic issues that really matter to Pittsfield. Berkshire county residents deserve better than symbolism.

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